Sipu Jha
Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made his first public appearance on Saturday, weeks after stepping down following the violent Gen Z protests that shook the country’s politics earlier this month. Oli had stayed out of sight since his resignation on September 9. He was first kept under army protection and later moved to a temporary residence. His reappearance came soon after a meeting of the CPN-UML party which he heads. Oli attended a public event in Bhaktapur organised by the CPN-UML’s student wing, Rastriya Yuwa Sangh. His presence at a youth gathering is seen as an effort to reconnect with younger supporters who had strongly criticised his role during the crisis. The protests, led by students and young citizens, turned into the deadliest violence since the 2006 pro-democracy movement. Demonstrators demanded accountability, an end to corruption, and reversal of a social media ban. On September 8, at least 21 protestors, mostly under 30, were killed. Another 39 died the following day, including 15 from severe burns, and 14 more in the days after. The death toll has reached 74. Protestors had gathered near parliament, pushing for reform and transparency. Police responded with water cannons, tear gas, and live fire. Shots were also fired from inside parliament after protestors set the gates on fire. While Oli denied ordering a crackdown, his government faced strong criticism for the way the unrest was handled. Amid the violence, Oli resigned and was replaced by former chief justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister. With parliament dissolved and elections due in March, Nepal faces an uncertain political transition. Oli’s return to the public stage is being read as a move to stay relevant in both party and national politics.
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